Escape

We were hoping to attract a wait-person when one told us there was a fire "back there." I was hungry and hoping for a healthy Cosmic Cafe meal, so we dawdled. I'd seen fires before, used to shoot them often for newspapers and art, and was reluctant to leave. Eventually we were persuaded, and it turned out the fire was in the building whose porch we were waiting under for food. As we were being the last to leave the building, I shot this photograph.

Flames

Real flames were climbing the back of the building within a few feet of where we parked. I moved the car, having to wait long seconds for a person whose vehicle was in no danger freak out and forget how to back up or turn around.

Upstairs

I had my too-teephoto birding lens on my camera, but luckily Anna had her long zoom compact, which I requested the borrow of. First two shots above and the next down were with mine. This and most others with hers, with which I struggled since I rarely used it. I knew how to turn it on but none of its buttons. Nonetheless, using it was needful, so I did.

Eloquent Smoke

Fire can be exciting, but smoke is sometimes almost spiritual. For all its devastation, fire is an amazing photo opportunity.

Umbrellas & Ladder

If you've driven Oak Lawn Avenue you may have noticed this colorful and spiritually decorated two-story building on the southeast side. You may have practiced Yoga upstairs or eaten great food down. I'm still hungry for Cosmic Cafe (It was The Cosmic Cup for many years.) food and hope they're back in business soon.

Fire Man

I could barely see through the viewfinder and had forgot about shutter lag, but I like this for its abstraction, texture and dark color contrast.

Two Fire Guys

All these photographs were shot Sunday afternoon February 10 2008. I'd been worried my last bunch on this page were from way last year. Now these are truly recent. But that doesn't last long.

Elephant with Umbrella and Fire Man

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